I've been sick and coughing for a while. About 5 days ago, I noticed a spot of pain on my ribs when I coughed. The pain was not severe so I ignored it. Yesterday, I coughed and felt a sharp *crack* on that spot. After an hour of escalading pain, I went to my family doctor. He determined that it was not broken since it didn't move when he pressed it. He thinks that I pulled a muscle/nerve and that it will take 5 days for me to recover. Also, I am young and, to quote my doctor, "it is highly unlikely for someone your age to fracture a rib without impact."

I still do not know the source of the crack. Moreover, I have noticed that my lower 3ish ribs are not symmetrical - one side appears collapsed and it is extremely painful for me to try to find my ribs on that side. I am certain that my ribs used to be symmetrical. I experience pain when I move my ribs (basically all the time) and the pain medicine he prescribed makes me extremely drowsy.

I am a student/athelete and it is important for me to remain alert, so I am not taking the medication except to sleep. I understand that Xrays are mainly a waste of money as there is nothing a doctor can do for a fractured rib.

What I want to know is this: is there a possibility that I have a fractured rib? If so, how long will it take before I can participate in sports again? After this amount of time, should I take it slow and avoid further damage to the area, or is it alright to start retraining immediately? I am on a sports team and need to know if I should quit for the season. How should I care for my hurt ribs?

I fell down the stairs I hurt my left side trying to stop I hurt only on left side on back and left side of ribs when I exhale or inhale it hurts and because I am in pain I feel nausious I can move but I dont move to fast I turned the other day and heard a pop after that I couldnt breathe then I layed still and moved slowly to do my house work through the rest of the day I can move around but slowly what should I do? Will it heal it self ?

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